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UNESCO renews accreditation for the Percé Geoparc 

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Percé Geoparc has succeeded in getting its UNESCO accreditation renewed. During the 9th Session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, held on September 8 and 9 in Non Nuoc Cao Bang, Vietnam, it was recommended that the Percé Geoparc receive a green flag, a symbol of excellence in the sustainable management of its territory. 

In 2022, UNESCO granted a two year renewal extension to the Percé Geoparc following the discovery of several issues that have since been addressed. 

“We’ve worked tirelessly since December 2023 on this, up to the visit of the two evaluators from France and Ireland last July,” says Geoparc president Daniel Leboeuf. The recommendations will be submitted to the UNESCO Executive Board for final approval in March 2025. 

“We have passed the evaluation phase. Unless we have a fire or a drastic event, we can be confident of having this title for the next four years,” he emphasizes. 

In 2022, the Geoparks Council had issued a yellow rating for the Percé Geoparc. This yellow rating, which acts as a warning, indicated that improvements were necessary. 

Signage to guide people to the geoparc, signs at the entrances to Percé, a redesign of the geoparc’s map with trails and geosites needed clarification. A display to showcase Canadian and international geoparks was also needed. 

“We had to demonstrate that we have a very good collaboration with other stakeholders in the community: the national park, tourism providers, and Tourisme Gaspésie. We had them meet with many stakeholders between Barachois and Anse-à-Beaufils and they saw that the geoparc was a real cooperative. It’s a relief everyone’s efforts didn’t fall through,” says Mr. Leboeuf. 

The financial problems over the last few years represented an additional challenge, but 2024 numbers show that is now behind them. 

“The figures are available up until the end of August, and they show that we are on the right track. So far, it has been a very nice season with the sun. The recovery efforts started last year and this nice season will give us a good cushion,” he says. 

The next four years will allow for further refinement of the site. “So far in our immediate plans, we have to make improvements to our parking lots, develop a food service at the glass platform that visitors have asked us for and we have the permit from MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to do so. We are exploring parts of the geoparc that are not yet exploited to open other geosites. If we can add one or two more before the four years is up, that would be much appreciated,” says the president. The zipline has been set aside due to its low profitability. 

UNESCO Global Geoparks are geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed according to a global concept of protection, education and sustainable development while involving communities. 

UNESCO renews accreditation for the Percé Geoparc  Read More »

 Vision celebrates 20 years at AGM 

Cynthia Dow, LJI Journalist

 enthusiastic crowd gathered on Thursday, September 19, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vision Gaspé-Percé Now at Destination Gaspé. “Twenty years is a long time to survive for a community organization,” President Tony Conoley told the crowd, “The support from the government has grown, the network of partners has grown, and the number of programs we offer has grown as well.” 

“And I don’t want to quote Donald Trump, but the number of clients is beautiful, beautiful!” exclaimed Mr. Conoley, garnering a laugh from the attendees. 

The President went on to express his appreciation for the group’s partners, board members, staff and volunteers. “This past year we continued to work hard to offer a large diversity of services and programs. We are building a youth program. We have increased our mental wellness activities and we are studying the feasibility of buying our building our own place.” 

A representative from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages was the guest speaker for the evening.  Alexandre Renaud presented the results of a recent study which indicated how myths and misperceptions about anglophone and francophone Quebecers are still a common occurrence. SPEC will have an in-depth look at that report in our next issue. 

Every year Vision invites nominations for Volunteer of The Year. Executive Director Jessica Synnott indicated that there were eleven nominations this year. “Volunteers are very much at the heart of any community organization.” The winner was Rhonda Stewart, who has worked diligently with Camp Fort Haldimand. 

In the absence of the auditor, board member Connie Jacques presented the annual financial report. “The auditor found no problems with the report. We have a $4,000 surplus, much like last year,” Ms. Jacques explained. The AGM approved the reappointment of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton as auditors for next year. 

Vision’s communications officer, Emma McGinnis, then took the attendees through a game of Kahoot with a series of questions to emphasize the impact of the organization. Participants discovered there were almost 100 sessions for the training and retention of healthcare workers with Dialogue McGill, and three recipients of the McGill Bursary: Amy Briand-Fournier, Madison Dorion, and Gabrielle Labbé. 

Vision has added a fifth Senior’s Wellness Centre: Douglastown now joins Gaspé, Murdochville, Maison Quartier, and Barachois as a location for these activities to support seniors’ physical, cognitive and mental health. 

The Bright Beginnings program held 29 activities for children, and 10 prenatal sessions were held. Vue d’Ensemble is a two-year project to bring French and English youth together for activities such as a drama club and lunch hour games. Eight activities were held. 

More than 13,000 frozen meals were delivered to seniors last year, up an astounding 33% from 2022-23. The number of seniors also increased by 31% to 929. 

At the end of the meeting, two new board members joined the group, bringing the total to ten with one seat remaining vacant. This year’s board will include newcomers Shauna Simpson and Linda Jean, with Tony Conoley, Connie Jacques, Deborah Adams, Larry English, Jonathan Côté, Diane Kennedy, Nancy Briand, and Jonathan Jean repeating. 

 Vision celebrates 20 years at AGM  Read More »

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